Art + Wine + Beauty Favs

Good Monday morning.  Today is a lot of randomness but I want to share it all. Hope you all had a fab weekend!

First off lets talk art.  One of my best friends here in Charleston, Amanda,  just started an Etsy shop selling her paintings and they are just gorgeous.  We have been telling her for years to do this because she is so talented and I am so glad she finally did.  I just had my own piece framed and I just adore it.  She paints a lot Lowcountry landscape scenes and also does some children's art as well.

Her prices are really awesome right now since she is just starting out so buy before they go up!  You can view her Etsy shop HERE.  A few other favorites, but they all are really stunning even more so in person.  A great gift idea too, I actually got ours for Matt for Father's Day but then we loved it so much we decided we wanted to hang it in our dining room!

\\ Amanda Parrott Etsy Shop

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Next up wine.  These are 3 wines that are in heavy rotation around here. They are all delicious and all under $15.  I have really been into Roses and Sauvignon Blancs this summer.  They are so light and refreshing.  I hate sweet wine so none of these are sweet, they are crisp.  I bought all three of these at our local wine/ABC Store (on Harborview for those locals) but they may be carried at Total wine too I am just not sure.

 Sierra Cantabria Rose | Honig Sauvignon Blanc | Mittlebach Rose

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Lastly make-up.  These are a few new products I am loving!

REDKEN BLONDE IDOL BBB SPRAY \\ My hairdresser recommended this spray for my hair.  My hair gets really tangled after I shower.  This spray makes it so easy to brush my hair while wet and it makes my hair so soft.  Plus it smells amazing.

BEAUTYCOUNTER EVERYDAY FACE LOTION \\ I am sure most of you have heard of beauty counter products by now, it is the new wave in good for you beauty products.  The company mission is so amazing not to use any chemicals or weird products.  I swear by all the products I have from Beauty Counter.  I love this face moisturizer.  I use it in the morning before I put on my make-up and it feels like silk.  So refreshing on my skin.  I also love the rose water spray, body lotion, and face oil.  The kids products are also legit.  You can shop the whole line here, really good stuff.

LAROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR FACE WASH // For some time now my mom and sister have told me to try this line that is carried at Walgreens.  I finally bought the face wash and love it.  The line is created in France and I have heard nothing but rave things about it.  I love a face wash that really foams up and gets all my make-up off and this one does just that.  It comes highly recommended by most dermatologists.

IT COSMETICS COLOR CORRECTING COVERAGE CREAM\\  I used to swear by Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer but I now I love this line so much more.  This is basically a tinted moisturizer but it feels so much lighter and goes on more seamlessly than the Laura Mercier one.  It has SPF 50 which is awesome.

IT COSMETICS BYE BYE UNDEREYES \\ I am a loyal fan of the Clu De Peau concealer but this one rocked my world.  I still use both sometimes together.  This one is created by a plastic surgeon and I swear it makes me look less tired and hides my under eye circles better than any concealer and a little goes a long way.  It is waterproof, yet moisturizing and stays in place pretty much all day.  Contains high concentrations of Vitamins K, A, C, E and Collagen, which help reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin  under your eye area.  You can't beat the price for only $30, this stuff works miracles.  I use the medium color.

LAURA MERCIER RED RASPBERRY LIPSTICK \\ I have found this is my new go-to shade this Summer.  It is such a great pink/red combo.

M61 JET GLOW SERUM \\ This is the first serum I have used and I have to say I love it.  It has really made my skin feel hydrated and smooth.  I use this after I wash my face and before I put on lotion at night for an extra layer.  This is carried at Blue Mercury here in Charleston.

3D FIBER LASH \\ If you want your lashes to look super long please buy this mascara it is freaking amazing.  After my quest to find the perfect mascara one of my readers sent me this mascara and it blow my socks off.  You apply it on top of a coat of your regular mascara and it is fibers that attach to to your lashes and it makes them look super thick and long.  I know it sounds a little weird but it really isn't.  It is so easy to use and just washes right off with your face wash.  I could tell a major difference with the length and thickness of my lashes.  I don't use this everyday but I do use whenever I have an event, dinner plans, etc. 

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Today is the last day to get 25% off any Gigi New York Teddie Tote.  I just love mine. 

Use code DBDD25

Plus they just started their Summer Sale, shop it HERE.

 

 

Piperlime Designer Sale Last Few Hours!!

Piperlime is having their Designer Sale where you can take an additional 20% off reduced prices.  Use code DESIGNER at checkout.  It ends tonight at midnight

My favorite Rag and Bone Giada Tee is on sale, I love mine!    I have small in this top, keep in mind it is an over sized tee, so maybe size down.  It is so incredibly comfy and soft and it is machine washable.

Also on sale are the Equipment Lewis shorts.  I have these in leopard print and have lived in them this summer!!  I have a small in mine they run TTS.  They are cute with a white tee shirt or dressier with a blouse!

These are my other top favorites!  Scroll thru to shop or click Here to view the whole sale.

Den Update: Piper Collection Pillows and Whats Next

Our den is the one room in our house that is almost where I want it to be.  The things I have left to do are recover my wing back chairs, find a matching cane back chair, and possibly curtains.  New pillows for our couch was on my list but I just crossed that off last week, thanks to Piper Collection.  If  you have not heard of Piper Collection you are missing out.  A local Charlotte friend and University of Alabama grad started the company with her interior designer mom and the pillows are just gorgeous.

Featuring bold color combinations and graphic textures, Piper strives to bring a youthful sophistication to contemporary home décor.  I loved all the pillows and had a hard time choosing!

 Of course I had to go with leopard for our den.  I love an animal print.  The fabric is so gorgeous and soft, it was exactly what I wanted for our den!

\\ Kendrick Pillow

They also come in this gorgeous purple color.

A few other favorites from Piper Collection:

You can shop the pillows online at Domino, Cozy Stylish Chic, and Remodo

In Charlotte they are carried at Traditions, Circa, Isabella, and A Hoke.  In Charleston they have a few at A Domaine.

If you want more info or have questions about ordering you can email whitney@piper-collection.com and follow along on instgram, she is always posting fun new pillows. #pipercollection

Next on my den to do list is find a matching cane back chair- anyone in Charleston have one the want to sell me?

I Recently had these two ottomans made so I want the additional cane back to flank the other side of the coffee table to offer more seating.

and the main project that I promised myself would happen in 2014 recovering these chairs.  I have two of them from my parents that I love.  I enlisted my friend Krystine to help me find fabric because I can't make a decision!!

I envision something like this, but I can't afford the gorgeous Les Touches fabric.  I like a mix between traditional and modern, so I am thinking a more modern fabric for the chairs.  Any suggestions designer friends?

So, the search continues.  Any great fabric shops in Charleston or Charlotte I should check out?  Don't forget to check out Piper Collection!

Happy Friday!

Loving Lately

A few things I am loving lately below.  What I am not loving is the fact that I have a Summer cold, hoping it goes away soon!!

Tie Dye.  Just got this Joie Sweater (on sale) and love it.

// Joie Tie Dye Sweater

The new Lacroix flavors only out at Target.  I  bought them all to try and I will report back with my favorites.

Summer Salads.  Now that it is Summer I have been all about fresh salads.  Two of my favorites:  Caprese + Kale Caesar with Chickpea Croutons (under recipes tab)

The fact that Sterling saw the small grocery carts and said " oh, so that is what those small carts are for, my baby"  and yes he calls Frances his baby:)  I let him push her for a few minutes and it was too funny.  Frances actually loved it.

The Tory Burch Calita Dress, it is even cuter in person and onsale- but beware it is on the short at least for me and I am almost 5'10. I am wearing a size small.  Love the neckline, its the perfect Summer tunic!

\\Tory Burch Calita Dress

Vibrant Food Cookbook.  I am a cookbook hoarder love them all, this is my new favorite cookbook filled with gorgeous pictures and recipes.

This Airhead Candy from Target, it is enough to give me cavities but so worth it.

 I bought it for Sterling but ate half the pack go figure.

\\ Equipment Kyle Top

\\ Target Palm Bikini

Target does it again.  This suit shocked me, cute fit, great price.  Bottoms run small or at least they did on me, I got a medium in the top and a large in the bottoms- I like coverage on my bum.

Grace Atwood's Collection with Baublebar, its real good. One of my favorites, it's the kind of necklace that would go with anything!

\\ The Crystal Pheasant Bib

I also love this ring and its only $28!!  Such a steal !

 

The fact that Frances Moon turned 7 months yesterday.  I can't get enough of her.  She truly has the sweetest demeanor and is such a scrumptious baby.

Quote

Good reminder sometimes.

Black Bean Tart With Chili Cornbread Crust

As far as Meatless Monday meals go this was by far one of our favorites.  Even Matt remarked how much flavor it had for a meatless meal.  He even ate seconds- this is unheard of on Meatless Mondays.  My mom's friend Jane passed along this recipe along with several other Mexican ones- she knows us well we love our Mexican Food.   This one was highly recommended and it did not disappoint.  It does involve several steps, but most of the prep work for this can be done early to save time at dinner time.  You can make the cornbread crust ahead of time, the black bean spread, and have all the veggies sauteed.  Then all you have to do is layer and bake.   It saves well in the fridge too, we ate it as leftovers and it was just as good.  If you can use fresh corn instead of frozen it is so much better!

side note- this recipe called for tart pan which I don't own so I used my Springform pan and it worked just fine- you just need a pan where the sides come off.

Enjoy!

|| B L A C K  B E A N  T A R T ||

For crust 1 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 stick (1/2 cup) chilled unsalted butter, cut into bits 2 tablespoons ice water (more if needed)

For filling

• 2 15oz  cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 ears of corn, husked and kernels chopped off or 1 10 oz bag frozen corn
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Monterey Jack (about 6 ounces)
• 2 fresh jalapeño chiles, seeded and chopped finely 

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in enough water until mixture forms a ball. Press dough onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Chill for 15 minutes.

 Bake Crust at 350° for 10 minutes covered with foil.  Remove foil and back an additional 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

In a blender, combine 1 cup beans, sour cream and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and process until smooth. Spread over crust. In a skillet, saute corn in oil until tender. Remove from the heat; add red pepper, onions,  jalapenos, pepper and remaining salt. Add cheese and remaining beans. Mound over the pureed beans (pan will be full). Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream if desired.